www.psychologynj.org
Introduction
Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD NJPA Executive Director
InourWinter2024issueoftheNJPsychologist,IdiscussedNJPA’s2023-2027 strategicplan,withanemphasisonmembership Advocacyisoneofthecentral rolesinmypositionasExecutiveDirector.Inthisarticle,I’dliketofocuson advocacy,includingwhatourstrategicprioritiesareandhowthosearedecided First,Iwouldliketocontextualizehowadvocacyhappensinourassociation HowDoesAdvocacyHappen?
ThestartingplacefornewadvocacyinitiativesistheCommitteeonLegislative Affairs(COLA) Thiscommitteedoesin-depthreviewsoftrends,pendinglegislation, andneeds,thenrecommendsspecificactionstotheExecutiveBoard,which ultimatelyvotesonofficialNJPAstrategies,statements,andactions COLAis advisedbyourcontractedGovernmentAffairsAgents,JonBombardieriandNicole Grey,andourpart-timestaffDirectorofProfessionalAffairs(DPA),Dr.Susan McGroarty
Dr.McGroarty’srolerelatestoadvocacyinseveralways.Sheisinclose communicationwithNJPAmembers,otherstateDPAs,andtheAPAadvocacyteam Dr McGroartyservesasatwo-waycommunicationsystemwithAPA,bothraising newissuesbeingreportedbyourmembers(e.g.,theinsuranceprepaymentreview auditsofsummer2024)andgettingadvancenoticeofpotentialincomingthreats APA’sadvocacyteamcoordinatesfederal-leveladvocacyaroundfunding, insurance,andCMSreimbursementrates.
WhydowerelyonAPA’sadvocacyteam?Foronething,APAcansupportexpertise andstaffinglevelsthatnostatecouldmatch–theyhavemoreattorneysthanNJPA hasstaffmembers!APAisabletofundthisthroughnotonlylargersize(over10 timesourmembership!),butalsothroughtheirrobustanddiverserevenuestreams WhileNJPAreliesonmembershipduestofund65-80%ofour$750,000budget eachyear,APAhasadiverserevenuestream,withmembershipmakinguplessthan 5%oftheir$125millionannualbudget Foranotherthing,mostinsuranceplansare ERISAplansandfollowfederallegislation,notstatelegislation Althoughwedo advocateforstateinsurancelegislation,suchastelehealthpaymentparity,those rulesapplytoasmallminorityofyourpatients Finally,APA’slegalexpertiseis
essentialbecausetherearenumerouslawssurroundinggroupadvocacy,including anti-trustlaws.Theyleadthechargeasaggressivelyasisprudent,andtheyoffer supporttostateassociationsinunderstandinghowtostayincompliancewithantitrustlaws
Advocacyhappensinoneothermajorsetting:respondingtocrisis Whenthereisa crisisamongpsychologistsinNewJersey,severalthingsmayhappen TheNJPA President,aswellasPast-PresidentandPresident-Elect,workcloselywiththe ExecutiveDirector(ED),DPA,andGovernmentAffairsAgent.ThePresidentmay engageindirectadvocacythroughphonecalls,emails,andfollow-upswithstate officials TheExecutiveBoardmayholdemergencymeetingstodiscusstheissue andapproveacourseofaction.TheDPAwillprovideexpertcontexttotheED, President,andGovernmentAffairsAgent;supportmembersduring1:1consultations, provideAPAwithinformationaboutwhatmembersareexperiencing,consultwith APAandotherstateDPAs,andcompileresourcessuchasupdates,handouts, presentations,orQ&Asessions ThereisoftenhighdemandforDPAconsultations duringcrisissituations,sothisyearwehaveexploredholdingfree,members-only, groupliveupdateswiththeDPAtoprovideservicestomoremembers.
Unfortunately,formanyNJPAmembers,itappearsthatlittleishappeningduringa practicecrisis.ManymembersturntotheLISTSERVtodiscusstheproblem,butthe NJPAExecutiveBoarddoesnotdiscussassociationbusinessontheLISTSERV(see LISTSERVTermsofUseRule1forafullexplanation) Wecanrarelygiveformal updateswhilethecrisisisongoing.Evenwhenthecrisisisover,wecannotoutline allstepsthatweretaken,duetoprofessionaldiscretion Often,thecrisisdoesnot haveadiscreteend,aswecontinuetomonitorformembershavingdifficulties By thetimewerealizeaproblemwasresolved,wearecatchinguponroutinebusiness thatgotpushedtothesideorarealreadyknee-deepinthenextissue Oneofthe strategicgoalsdiscussedbelowaddressescommunicationofadvocacyefforts, whichissomethingIwanttoemphasizefor2025.
NJPA’s2023-2027StrategicPlan
Thestrategicplancallsforustodevelopanannualguildandsocialadvocacy agendathatpromotes,protects,andenhancesthescienceandprofessionof psychology YourCommitteeonLegislativeAffairs(COLA)discussedthisattheir Septembermeetingandwillimplementourfirstadvocacyagendain2025,outlining threemajorinitiativesfortheyear.Thisagendacanprovideausefulframeworkfor moreregularassociationadvocacyupdates,whichisalsocalledforinthestrategic plan
Insuranceadvocacyformsasignificantportionofthestrategicplan,whichalsocalls fordevelopingaworkingNJPApublicandprivateinsurancereimbursement resourcegroup/committeetoassisttheNJPADirectorofProfessionalAffairs(DPA) andCOLA(2023-2025) ThisinitiativeisdirectedbyyourDPA,Dr SusanMcGroarty, whohasbeengatheringdetailedmodelsofsimilarcommitteesinotherstate associationsandrecruitingNJPAmemberswhoarefamiliarwithdifferentinsurance panels NJPAisseekingtobuildworkingrelationshipswithinsurancecarriersto helpresolvememberissuesquicklyandproactively,butthoserelationshipstake timetobuild.Mostinsurancecarriersthatpsychologistsworkwitharelegislatedat
thefederallevel,sowewillalsocontinuetoworkwithAPAonadvocacyefforts We alsoworkcloselywithAPAlegalexpertstoensurethatwearenotengaginginantitrustactivitiesthatmaycompromiseourfavorabletaxstatus
NJPAisalsoseekingtointroducelegislativebillsthatexpandopportunitiesfor psychologiststopracticeandbillforservices Forexample,earlierthisyear,we signedonwitheffortsbytheAssociationfortheBettermentofCitizenswith DisabilitiestoincludepsychologistsasapprovedMedicaidprovidersofbehavioral supportstotheIDDcommunity Wearealsoexploringotherproactiveadvocacy, includingintheareaofintegratedcare However,specificeffortscannotbeshared publiclyuntiltheyhavebeenapprovedbytheExecutiveBoard,sothereisa necessarydelayfromwhenCOLAmembersbringupanissue,doexploratory researchtobringbacktoCOLA,formaspecificrecommendationfortheExecutive Board,andreceiveapprovalfromtheExecutiveBoardtobeginadvocatingunder thenameofNJPA
Oneparticularadvocacyareaofinterestthisyearisprescribingprivilegesfor psychologists(RxP) ThestrategicplannotesthatRxPisastrategicpriority,pending ExecutiveBoarddecisions:“TheExecutiveBoardwillfinalizetheRxPpositionafter receivingrecommendationsfromtheRxPevent.Theeventwillbecompletedbythe endofthefirstquarterin2023”TherewasaneventplannedforMarch2023,butit unfortunatelydidnotworkout Instead,severalNJPAmembersvolunteeredtheir timetopresentforandopposedpositionsatthe2023ExecutiveBoardretreat,and the2024FallConventionwasplannedwithseveralCEsdiscussingRxP,withmany NJPAmembershelpingtorecruitadiversegroupofexpertswhodiscussedmany favorableandunfavorableaspectsofpursuingRxPinNewJersey Association discussionswerealsoinformedbya9/6/24CEprogramexplainingRxP,aswellas NJPAmembers-onlyLISTSERVdiscussions WeprovidedopportunitiesforNJPA memberstogivefeedbacktotheExecutiveBoardfollowingthe2024Fall Convention(whichwasmeanttooffereducationanddiscussionopportunities)and beforetheExecutiveBoardvoteinNovember Iwelcomeindividualcommentsat anytimetomyinbox(njpaed@psychologynjorg),whichwillbesharedcollectively withtheExecutiveBoard.
RecognizingMemberServiceinAdvocacy
ThankyoutothemanyNJPAmemberswhosupportadvocacyefforts,includingour President,Dr MarcGironda;President-Elect,Dr AlexandraMillerClark;PastPresident,Dr BrianaCox;andtheentireExecutiveBoard;outgoingCOLAChair,Dr AnastasiaBullock;incomingCOLAChair,Dr.KellyGilrain;outgoingCOLASecretary, Dr KellyMoore;andtheentireCOLAmembership;andDirectorofProfessional Affairs,Dr SusanMcGroarty IfyouareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutCOLAor applyingtoserveonthecommittee,pleasereachouttomeasExecutiveDirectorat njpaed@psychologynjorg
A Message From Our President
Marc Gironda, PsyD NJPA President
In2009,ApplereleasedanoperatingsystemupdateforitsMaccomputerscalled SnowLeopard.ItwasamajordeparturefrompreviousupdatesthatApple,orany other technology company, had provided in that it did not focus on flashy new features,butratheronreliability ThegoalwastomakeyourMacmoreefficient,fast, andstable Insomeways,IbelieveNJPA,in2024,hashada“SnowLeopardfeel”to it Ontheonehand,NJPAprovidedmemberswithaflashynewconventionmodel that included a 3-day offering in Asbury Park providing 14 continuing education credits, an exciting destination, and upgraded social opportunities On the other hand,muchworkisbeingdone“behindthescenes”tomakeNJPAmoreefficient andstable
IamveryproudofourExecutiveBoardthisyearforthehardworktheyhavedonein addressingpoliciesandprocedures Wedonothaveafullboardatthistime(please letusknowifyoumightbeinterestedinrunningforaboardposition!),soseveral boardmembersaredoingdouble-dutyinvariousroles.Icontinuetobeawedbythe commitment of our Central Office staff, as well, who work hard to establish relationshipswithmembersandensuresmoothrunningoftheassociation Finally, I’d like to point out some exceptional work by our committees, both part of the boardandexternaltotheboard
2024broughtachangetoourmembershipstructure.OurMembershipCommittee (acommitteeoftheboard)hasputinhoursandhoursofvolunteertimelisteningto memberfeedback,researchingbestpracticesinothernon-profitorganizations,and identifying ways to maximize technology to elevate the membership process. In addition,theMembershipCommitteeputmanyhoursintodevelopingastructure thatmakessense,permitsmoreflexibilityformemberstochoosefrom,andallows theassociationtosustainitselffinancially Althoughthisprocessisgearedtowards stability,itwilloffersomenewfeaturestomembers,aswell
Another example of “behind the scenes” work occurred within our Committee on LegislativeAffairs(COLA) InanefforttoboostNJPA’sabilitytoadvocateandmake effective change in Trenton, our Government Affairs Agent set up a COLA retreat thisyearthatfocusedonthinkingbeyondspecificpoliciesforCOLAtocommenton and advocate for. Our Executive Director, Dr. Sara Tedrick Parikh, detailed some outcomesofthisretreatinourSpringjournal Buttosummarize,theretreatincluded instruction on how to speak with legislators and how to communicate effectively within the political process. COLA was honored to have a member of the NJ Assembly, Assemblywoman Aura K Dunn, join our retreat to provide COLA with hands-on approaches on how to speak with legislators Focusing on this process, andlearningfromanactuallegislator,willmakeNJPAmoreefficientwhenitcomes toadvocatinginTrenton This,inturn,bringsongoingstabilitytoourassociation
In addition to planning for two large in-person events (Spring Conference and Fall Convention),ourCouncilonContinuingEducationAffairs(CoCEA)hasworkedhard on establishing NJPA as the premiere destination for New Jersey psychologists to obtain their mandatory continuing education credits CoCEA focused not only on increasingtheamountofeventsandhomestudyofferings,butalsoonensuringthat all mandatory topics are covered (e.g., opiates and domestic violence). In addition, CoCEA has anticipated mandatory continuing education for PSYPACT We recently hadwellover100membersattendaPSYPACT-relatedeventonSeptember13 This wasaresoundingsuccessandissomethingNJPAhopestoofferonanannualbasis. By anticipating the needs of members in this way, NJPA can continue to sustain itself by offering ongoing value and support to its membership If there are other continuing education opportunities that you think NJPA should be offering, please letusknow!CoCEAisalwayslookingfornewmemberstohelpwithourcommitment toprovidingoutstandingcontinuingeducation.
A final example I will share relates to our Executive Board retreat this year, which focused broadly on how to function as a nonprofit association. It also considered how the Executive Board and Central Office can best collaborate, increasing efficiencyoverall Asaresultofthisretreat,theExecutiveBoardandCentralOffice are moving towards a model that can hopefully respond more quickly to member needs, while maintaining a strong and stable association A recent effort at quick responseincludedourDirectorofProfessionalAffairsidentifyingmemberconcerns regarding Optum pre-payment reviews and audits, and rapidly assembling multiple free live webinars to help members navigate the concerns We are hoping to continuethislevelofrapidresponseandadvocacymovingforward.
NJPA made significant progress towards a more stable, fast responding, and efficient organization in 2024. We hope to use this groundwork as we move into 2025andbeyond Furthermore,itmakesNJPAanevenmorerobustandmeaningful association for members as we work towards our mission to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health and human welfare inanatmospherethatsupportsthediversityofitsmembersandthesocietyatlarge Ithasbeenanhonortobepresidentofsuchawonderfulprofessionalorganization I am most grateful for the relationships I have formed with so many individuals who aredeeplycommittedtopsychology.
Legislative Initiatives
01
VirtualCreditCard:
OnJanuary8,2024,GovernorMurphysignedA4913(Conaway)/S3133(Johnson),knownasthe VirtualCreditCardlegislation,underthislaw,anynetworkagreementbetweenacarrier,orthe carrier’scontractedvendor,andahealthcareproviderfortheprovisionofhealthordentalcare servicesisprohibitedfrommandatingonlyoneformofpaymenttothehealthcareprovider A carrier,orthecarrier’svendor,isalsoprohibitedfromrestrictingthemethodofpaymenttoanoutof-networkhealthcareproviderprovidingout-of-networkcoveredservicestoonlyoneformof payment
Thelawalsorequiresacarrier,orthecarrier’scontractedvendor,toprovidecertaininformationto ahealthcareprovider,priortoinitiatingitsfirstpaymenttothehealthcareprovider,whereoneof theavailablepaymentmethodsincludesafeeandbeforechangingtheavailablepayment methods.Thebillprohibitsacarrierfromusingahealthcareprovider’spreferredmethodof paymentasafactorwhendecidingwhethertoprovidecredentialstoahealthcareprovider
ThelawwentintoeffectonJuly6,2024
02
Telehealth:
OnDecember21,2023,GovernorMurphysignedA5757(Conaway)/S4127Gopalwhichamends section11ofP.L.2021,c.310toextendtheenddatefromDecember31,2023toDecember31,2024, duringwhichtimeahealthbenefitsplaninthisStateistoprovidecoverageandpaymentforhealth careservicesdeliveredtoacoveredpersonthroughtelemedicineortelehealthataprovider reimbursementratethatequalstheproviderreimbursementratethatisapplicable,whenthe servicesaredeliveredthroughin-personcontactandconsultationinNewJersey,providedthe servicesareotherwisecoveredbythehealthbenefitsplanwhendeliveredthroughin-person contactandconsultationinNewJersey
Undertheoriginal2021telehealthparitylegislation,theCommissionerofBankingandInsurance wastoconductastudy,dueJuly2023,todeterminewhethertelemedicineandtelehealthmaybe appropriatelyusedtosatisfynetworkadequacyrequirementsapplicabletohealthbenefitsplansin NewJersey.ThecommissionerwastoprepareandsubmitareporttotheGovernoroutliningthe commissioner’sfindingsandanyrecommendationsforlegislation,administrativeaction,orother actionsasthecommissionerdeemsappropriate.
Thestatestudyintendedtoguidethefutureoftelehealthreimbursementswasmonthspastits statutorydeadline,andwasstillnotavailableinearlyDecember.Therewasapossibilityofitbeing availableinlateDecember,astelehealthpayparitywassettoexpire,meaningpolicymakerswould havejustacoupleweeks,ifthat,toanalyzeitsfindingsandactonthem NJPApushedforatleast anextensionforpayparity,arguingitmaintainsimportantaccesstotelehealth.
TheDepartmentofHealthhasnotreleasedthereportasofyet,andNJPA,withSenatorGopaland AssemblymanConaway,havebeenadvocatingforthereleaseofthatreport
Membership Has Its Perks!
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New Membership Levels
Beginning with the 2025 dues renewal, you will be able to choose your Membership Tier! Our prior Membership Tiers were based on the stage of your career, and our new system will allow you to choose the
services that best suit your needs Provided below is the list of benefits and monthly costs for each
membership tier.
New Membership Levels Cont.
NJPA Foundation
Board of Trustees: Mathias Hagovsky, PhD (President); Toby Kaufman, PhD (Secretary); Ann Stainton, PhD (Treasurer); Eileen Kohutis, PhD (Trustee); Jonathan Wall, PsyD (Trustee)
Thanks to the generosity and support of NJPA Members like you, the NJPA Foundation provides grants to financially support graduate students training to work with undeserved residents in New Jersey, such as inner-city students, immigrants, LGBTQ, children with Asperger's, and the elderly, to name a few Through the generosity of your individual contributions, we are able to offer awards and scholarships for innovative family, school, and community projects Link to learn more and donate!
Visit our webite pages to read about our funded students and Community Service sites, as well as our research award winners!
Graduate Student Initiated Research Awards fund student-initiated research and projects addressing psychological issues that have significant impact on community health.
Read our quarterly publication, The Foundation Flash, which highlights our efforts in support of programs that train graduate psychology students who are dedicated to working with underserved populations in New Jersey
Our Community Service Project Grants identifies exemplary programs that provide psychological services to those who cannot afford it and trains doctoral students to work with these underserved populations.
Foundation Testimonials
This year, several students had their NJPA membership dues covered by the NJPA Foundation Here is what several of them had to say:
“As the current NJPAGS Chair, I am immensely grateful to NJPA donors for sponsoring my annual dues This gesture not only helped alleviate some financial burden that I, like many graduate students, face, but also re-emphasizes the value that NJPA places on student leaders and student success more broadly I cannot understate the professional development opportunities afforded to students through NJPAGS, and having my membership covered was truly a gift ”
- Mary Isaac Cargill, MA, NJPAGS Chair
“There are not enough words to express my gratitude to the NJPA Foundation As a graduate student, any additional expenses, even those that are beneficial for my career development, can be difficult to incorporate into my limited budget The kindness and generosity of the Foundation has allowed me to not only become a member of NJPAGS, but also facilitated my involvement in the Committee on Legislative Affairs (COLA). Being a part of the COLA has been an empowering and rewarding experience that I could not have imagined having as a graduate trainee. I have long been interested in translating the science and practice of psychology to make system-level change, and the NJPA COLA has given me the opportunity to do this at such an early stage in my training I am very grateful to the Foundation, and I hope that they continue to provide trainees with career changing experiences through NJPA ”
- Simone Boyd
“I am writing to express my gratitude to NJPA, and to various donors that support this organization I was pleasantly surprised to find that as an acknowledgement of my volunteer contributions, my NJPAGS membership dues were covered for this year This assistance is a wonderful financial support and allows me to focus on my professional development while I continue to utilize the benefits that NJPA provides as an organization However, this gesture also went beyond financial reprieve I was humbled to have my contribution acknowledged, and the gift of membership served as an unexpected reminder that what we do does make a difference I appreciate all of the donors who made this possible, and I am thrilled to have the continued support of this wonderful organization.”
- Alexis Libert
“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the annual NJPA dues that were covered by the Foundation Being part of NJPAGS and serving in the role of Member-at Large Membership has been an incredible experience so far My role allows me to connect with many people and learn about the careers they want in psychology Serving in this role has also allowed me to gain invaluable skills as a future clinical psychologist and work to create opportunities for NJPA members Thank you very much again for your contribution.”
- Meital Oshri
NJPA Foundation
Community Service Project Grant Final Reports
The NJPA Foundation provides grants to higher education institutions and organization sites that provide psychological services to those who cannot afford them and offers programs that train doctoral students to work with these underserved populations. At the conclusion of the program year, we require a final report from the students detailing their accomplishments with the support of this grant
Learn more and donate!
Gratitude From Funded Students
“I worked closely and directly with one undergraduate student on probationary status. Through the GRIT program, I saw how this student developed healthier habits and routines, leading to improved productivity, motivation, and overall school satisfaction This student was able to earn a 2 90 GPA in December This student started with a 1 38 GPA, and is projected to finish with a 3.02 GPA this May... The GRIT program has truly fostered a growth mindset in me, encouraging continuous learning Lastly, and importantly, the NJPA Foundation Grant for Community Service provided me with financial support and professional honor at the start of my doctoral career which I very much appreciate and am thankful for.”
- Nadege Napoleon
G R I T Program
“Overall, my experience with the Felician
G R I T program has been incredibly rewarding as it reinforced my commitment to serving underserved populations as a psychologist in training the program served as a valuable pre-externship experience and I am thankful to NJPA Foundation for rewarding the grant ”
- Yeasmin Ali
G R I T Program
“A great accomplishment was my work with an eight-year-old, African American boy who presented with a history of trauma and problematic sexual behaviors With the money received in the grant, I was able to get interactive materials for our sessions that engaged him and helped create a dynamic therapeutic environment for him... I do not have the adequate words to express my gratitude for this externship, the RDTC supervisors who have supported me each step of the way, and the NJPA grant that has helped make my experience over the year possible ”
- Zuri Gill
Regional Diagnostic & Treatment Center Program
“I am grateful for my grant-based funding... I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to develop my clinical expertise in trauma and in serving underserved youth As the externship year ends, I am glad to have expanded my cultural competency and my understanding of trauma (specifically within the realm of child abuse).”
- Jessica Wimmer
Regional Diagnostic & Treatment Center Program
NJPA Financials
Asa501(c)(6)nonprofitorganizationdedicatedtotheadvancementofpsychologyasascience,asa profession,andasameansofpromotinghealthandhumanwelfareinanatmospherethatsupports thediversityofitsmembersandthesocietyatlarge,werecognizetheimportanceoftransparency andaccountabilityinourfinancialoperations.Aswenavigatethecomplexitiesofthefinancial landscape,weremainfocusedonourmembers'bestinterests.
Inthefaceofadynamicandevolvingeconomiclandscape,NJPAhasremainedsteadfastinpursuing itsmissionwhileadaptingtochallengesandopportunitiesalike.Weextendourgratitudetoallthose whohavecontributedtowardNJPA'ssuccess ourmembers,volunteers,andstaff.
The goals of the Foundation are to help underserved populations, fund graduate students in training and research who work with these populations, and offer public education programs Due to a reduction in capital reserves, the Foundation has made the difficult decision to reduce the number of grants awarded to fund programs and to support students This includes having to put Dissertation Grant and Student Conference Participation Grant applications on temporary hiatus. Help us continue to provide this important funding in support of students training to work with the underserved The NJPA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations, less any goods and services received, may be tax deductible for you Consult with your financial advisors to learn more
Meet the NJPA Executive Board
Marc Gironda, PsyD President
Bonnie Markham, PhD, PsyD Parliamentarian
Stacie Shivers, PsyD CODI Co-Chair (EB Liaison)
Briana Cox, PsyD Past-President
Rhonda Allen, PhD APA Council Rep
Phyllis Bolling, PhD CODI Co-Chair
Members-At-Large (A=Affiliate generated; N=NJPA generated)
Alexandra Miller Clark, PsyD President-Elect
Jax Gallios, PsyD ECP Chair
Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD Executive Director
Mary Isaac Cargill NJPAGS Chair
Susan C. McGroarty, PhD Director of Professional Affairs
Kelly Moore, PsyD Secretary Anastasia Bullock, PsyD Treasurer
Phyllis Bolling, PhD Affiliate Caucus Chair
Amy Chapman, PhD Director of Operations
TBD Member-At-Large (A)
TBD Member-At-Large (N)
Deirdre Waters, PsyD (A) Lauren Gerardi, PhD (A) Stacie Shivers, PsyD (N) Marilyn Lyga, PhD (N)
